49-31-44 Creation of telecommunications investigation fund--Purposes of fund--Deposit by telecommun...

49-31-44.
Creation of telecommunications investigation fund--Purposes of fund--Deposit by
telecommunications company.
There is hereby created a fund within the state treasury to be known
as the telecommunications investigation fund which shall be used by the commission to defray the
expenses of conducting investigations or public hearings relating to §§ 49-31-3.2 to 49-31-3.4,
inclusive, 49-31-4, and 49-31-4.1, or arbitration proceedings conducted pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252
as of January 1, 1998. Each telecommunications company as defined in subdivision 49-31-1(26) that
is a party to an official docket to exercise commission authority pursuant to §§ 49-31-3.2 to 49-31-3.4, inclusive, 49-31-4 and 49-31-4.1, or arbitration proceedings conducted pursuant to 47 U.S.C.
§ 252 as of January 1, 1998, shall make a deposit not to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars in the
telecommunications investigation fund. The amount and the division of the deposit among the
companies, if any, shall be designated by commission order. However, any costs incurred related to
arbitration proceedings conducted pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 as of January 1, 1998, shall be shared
equally among the parties. The commission shall use the deposit to defray the expense incident to
conducting the hearing or investigation of the company making the deposit. The deposit is
appropriated to the use of the commission for such purpose. The funds necessary for such expenses
are hereby authorized to be expended.